Hong Kong Electronics Fair: Connected appliances should no longer be a thing of the future

At the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, Euromonitor International head of global consumer electronics research, Wee Teck Loo addressed the future of connectivity.

“There are 2.2 billion households, 4 billion internet users, 7.7 billion people. There will be 4 billion smartphones in use in 2021 and more than 2 million other connected devices. Every single household will have at least three connected devices and are willing to pay 10% additional, on average, for wireless connectivity,” Loo said.

“One in two households have an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner and microwave, while 80% have a refrigerator and 70% have a washing machine. In 2020, up to 56% of air conditioners will be connected, around 20% of refrigeration products will be connected and 46% of washing machines.

“In light of these statistics, with so many devices, why are we talking about the future of connected living rather than now? The typical life cycle of an appliance is anywhere between five to 10 years. Without appliances being connected, consumers cannot have a smart home,” he continued.

“Our devices know where we have been based on our location or places that you have checked in. The connected device should transmit this data to appliances. For example, on a weekday when I work in the office, I do not perspire so the washing cycle time and dosage of detergent can be reduced. In comparison, if I have been hiking then it would be a different washing program. Smartphones and wearables are intelligent enough and have the capacity to store this data,” Loo added.